First Tripura Krishi Unnati Mela - 2019 concludes

3^rd March, 2019, Tripura

The Tripura Krishi Unnati Mela (TKUM) - 2019 organized by Tripura Centre of ICAR-Research Complex for North Eastern Hills Region concluded here today. The Mela was organized at the Centre from 1^st to 3^rd March - 2019.

The Chief Guest, Shri N.C. Debbarma, Minister of Revenue and Fisheries, Government of Tripura appreciated the ICAR for organizing the “First Tripura Krishi Unnati Mela - 2019” at Lembucherra. He said that more emphasis should be given on agriculture in Tripura. The Minister said that one third of Tripura’s land being cultivable, the farmers should take multiple crops and adopt diversified integrated farming system that comprises of crop, horticulture, livestock and fisheries for food, nutritional security, higher income and minimal risks from climatic adversities.

Shri Debbarma urged the farmers for adopting the ICAR’s technologies for fulfilling the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision to double-up the farmers’ income by the Year - 2022 and assured of every possible help by the state government to realize the targeted vision.

The Guest of Honor, Dr. P.K. Pandey, Dean, College of Fisheries, Lembucherra appreciated the ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Tripura Centre’s initiative to organize the Krishi Unnati Mela for the farmers of Tripura. Dr. Pandey stressed on scientific fish farming to enhance the farmers’ income. He also said that besides producing fish, a small pond in every household could be used for life saving irrigation.

In his welcome address, Dr. Basant Kandpal, Joint Director and Convenor of Tripura Krishi Unnati Mela - 2019 highlighted the main attractions of three-day long Mela. Dr. Kandpal stated that 6 technical sessions comprising of farmers-scientists’ interaction on climate resilient agriculture, integrated farming for doubling farmers’ income, improved maize and oil seed production, agri-business opportunities and horticulture for nutrition and income enhancement were organized during the Mela.

The Mela organized a total of 15 deliberations from the experts from ICAR, Universities, College of Agriculture, College of Fisheries, Department of Horticulture, Fishery, NABARD, and other organizations.

The Chief Guest also conferred Certificates and mementos to the participants during the valedictory ceremony. The Horticulture Research Station, Nagicherra bagged the first prize among the Government exhibition stalls and M/S Bharati Udyog received the first prize among the Non-Government stalls.

The Mela registered a total footfall by around 3,000 farmers, researchers, academicians, extension and development functionaries, students, entrepreneurs, etc.

A total of about 500 farmers, scientists, Government Officials, SHGs, NGOs, students and entrepreneurs, etc., participated in the valedictory function.

(Source: ICAR-Research Complex for North Eastern Hills Region, Lembucherra, Tripura)